American Muscle vs British Jaguars: How Ford Galaxie Crushed The Competition

British racing fans were accustomed to seeing competitive Jaguar Mk2s triumph frequently in British Saloon Car racing in the early 1960s. But on this day sixty years ago, May 11th 1963, the Ford Galaxie arrived to end the British reign at the top.

When Jack Sears drove a Galaxie 500 to victory in the 1963 British Saloon Car Championship, it came as a shock to the established order. Protests and arguments ensued as American muscle destroyed the previously dominant Jags. Racing veterans Graham Hill and Sir Jack Brabham also tried their hand at driving these enormous beasts, which would struggle to slow thanks the insufficient brakes, and which were quickly upgraded before the year was out. But the point of these cars wasn't the twisty stuff, it was the enormous about of power from the 7.0 engines and seemingly endless torque.

The Lotus Cortinas proved to be too quick for the big Ford V8's as the decade went on, but not before the Galaxie had cemented its place in racing history.

Martyn Lee is joined by Autosport's Chief Editor Kevin Turner to look back at the impact the Galaxie's made when they arrived on these shores, and tell us more about the recent Autosport track test, when we were able to get a Jaguar Mk2, Ford Galaxie and Ford Lotus Cortina all on track at Silverstone for a special feature online and in the magazine.

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